A minimum of 16 people have Died after a church in southern Rwanda was struck by Lightning.

Another 140 were hurt, 2 of them seriously, provincial governor Rose Mureshyankwano stated.

Of those taken to hospital, 17 were kept in for treatment while the rest were released.

Local mayor Habitegeko Francois stated 14 people died instantly after the lightning strike in Nyaruguru district, while another 2 later died of their injuries.

Mr Francois said there was a comparable event on Friday, in which a trainee died after lightning hit a group of 18 people.

Lightning strikes are frequent throughout Rwanda, with 18 people killed in various parts of the nation last October.

Throughout 2016 – the most current year with complete figures – lightning eliminated 30 individuals and hurt 61, inning accordance with the nation’s ministry of catastrophe management and refugee affairs.